FTGC vs SPY
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FTGC or SPY?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FTGC led over 1Y and 5Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FTGC | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $3.3B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 14.26% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 3 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +37.61%Best | +12.47% |
| 1Y Return | +45.24%Best | +17.51% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.98% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.89%Best | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.6% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,018Best | $18,327 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 23, 2013 to Sep 11, 2026 (12.9 years).
FTGC vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.9 years both funds cover.
FTGC vs SPY Performance
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FTGC returned +45.24% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, FTGC is up 37.61% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, FTGC compounded at +16.98% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +14.89% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.79% annualized vs +3.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 13.6% for FTGC. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -60.6% for FTGC and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTGC charges 0.98% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $9 annually, a gap of $89 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTGC currently yields 14.26% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTGC and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTGC or SPY?
FTGC has an expense ratio of 0.98% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $89 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTGC or SPY?
Over the past year FTGC returned +45.24% vs +17.51% for SPY, so FTGC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FTGC annualized +3.68% vs +12.79% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTGC or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.6% for FTGC. Worst drawdown: FTGC -60.6% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FTGC and SPY?
FTGC and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTGC or SPY?
FTGC yields 14.26% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FTGC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FTGC?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FTGC led over 1Y and 5Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.